Ancient- Rare Indian Coin, Rarely Offered For Sale

I got this coin along with a bulk purchase of rare Indo coins. This one is one of my favorites of the lot. This coin hails from the Kuninda Kingdom, which lay at the foothills of the Himalayas, on what is the modern India/ Nepal border. The ancient Greek historian Ptolemy places the origins of the homeland of the Kuninda where the rivers Sutlej, Yamuna and the Ganges originate. Although unfamiliar to most collectors of ancient coins, the Kuninda Kingdom is mentioned in the famous Indian epic The Mahabharata, where it is said their armies were defeated by the Undefeated Hero Arjuna.

The Kuninda Kingdom emerges from obscurity in two distinct series of coins. One minted in the 2nd to 1st century BC and the other around the 2nd century AD shortly before they disappear from the historical record. They struck coins in bronze and silver, while bronze coins are often crude and weakly struck the silver coins are amazingly gorgeous made from highly detailed and cramped dies, conveying an multitude of Buddhist symbolisms.

Here I will show my example, dating from the 2nd century BC, a coin struck in the name of King Amoghabhuti. These drachms were struck in the same numismatic model as their Indo-Greek contemporaries. They followed a nearly identical weight standard of about 2.18 grams and 19 millimeter in diameter. Currently there is no catalog that thoroughly covers these coins and an unknown number of variations exist. Although due to hoard evidence, these coin have been found along side the coins of Apollodotus, cementing a solid, equal and peaceful economic exchange.

It is thought that coins bearing the name of King Amoghabhuti were struck and circulated long after his death well into the 3rd century AD, and often bare the likeness of the Hindu God Shiva.

In the end I felt I certainly needed one of these for my collection.

India,
Kuninda Kingdom
Amoghabhuti c. 2nd cent. BC
17 mm x 2.11 g
obverse: Deer standing crowned by two cobras attended by Lakshmi holding lotus flower, ghadiya under deer. Brahmi Legend- Rajanah Kunindasa Amohabhutisa maharajasa.
Reverse: Buddhist Stupa surmounted by the Buddhist symbol triratna and surrounded by a Swastika a "Y" symbol and a tree.-Kharoshti legend Rana Kunindasa Amoghabtusia maharajasa. (Great King Amoghabhuti of the Kunindas)
ref: MACW 4440-4441, ACC #3

 

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In recent months several have made there way to the market place, CNG has even sold a few!

 

Awesome coin Anoob!

 

Glad you like it, I am certainly amped about it!!

 

This is a very interesting coin & one I have never seen. I especially like the reverse. Also learned something too.

A coin to be proud of for sure!

FYI I like putting some folks in their place who think the Swastika is something you know who used in ww2 but in fact is thousands of years old & meant completely different. The look on their faces...

 

I have been wanting one of these but am too cheap.

 

Surprising Doug, I thought for sure you of all people would have at least one of Kuninda. I would say these are terribly expensive, I actually got a real good deal, having been a bulk buy, from a seller I have done much business and have come to rely on for stuff exotic in nature.
I must convince you to splurge on one of this type if you can, I am very pleased with my example but it it does have its faults(faults I can live with). The metal quality is great and it really is a lot to look at on a coin this size. It's got everything one could want, bilingual legends, animals, gods, symbols all on a nice silver flan, and it ancient no matter whose opinion you take. It would be better if it were chunky. Although you can't have it all, right?

 

Your right I am proud of it!
Yea when you find one of 'those' guys show them this coin. It will blow their mind.

 

Show them this when you do that: http://www.sageventure.com/coins/version4.html

 

i've been trying to think were i've seen that "stupa" on the reverse, then it dawned on me that it's pretty close the the one on the coins from taxila..but those usually have the 3 arches (or whatever they are).

 

That hill is on many,many,many coins throughout history, everything from punch marks to coins of the Western Satraps. Now that's a set to put together....hmmm

 

Another beautie Noob, lots of great info and the coin is awesome too!!! well done young man...

 

Sweet piece man. Maybe hook a brother up if you ever see another for sale.

 

Thats a neat one.

 

what would be the market value of this coin?? ripu daman(India)

 

I would say about $125 - $150 USD. A few of them have popped up recently.

 

No personal information please. Ask people to contact you via PM if necessary.

 

@USS656 Sir, I did not consider this a personal question, he merely asked what the market value of a little known coin of substantial rarity can be had for. Conversation will continued by PM.

edited

 

Noob => how much do you weigh? ... oh, and what is your VISA number?

 

I deleted the personal information before you responded